You guys are quick! Thanks for the PN attempt Dan, I'll keep digging and figure mine out.
Jay, appreciate the pics, thanks. My feelings exactly on the size of the sprocket keyway, very strange. The amount of play seems unusual, but the part doesn't look worn or damaged in any way. My only thought would be that for some reason it was once replaced with a non-OEM part...??
Doesn't look like all that much is different between the two engines in the crank area. If the crank is really threaded that deep it seems like there's no way that I'm bottoming out the bolt, though I'll be doing this same test ASAP to see.
Good stuff on the key fit. Once I break mine loose I'll see how it compares.
Not to stray too far from the matter at hand, but once I'm back down to this point, would you recommend doing my front oil seal as well? I'd originally left it alone since it seemed to be in fine shape.
I've got a lot of pictures from my 3.0L overhaul, but sadly I didn't document the 3.5L the way I normally like to because it was my wife overhauling and I was helping. It threw me off from my normal game. So no problem on the photos, I just wish I had the same amount I normally take for the 3.5L. Dang I missed my chance.
Yes, I am 99% sure that what you have is a non OEM timing sprocket. This 3.5L engine was used on a lot of different makes and models so it wouldn't surprise me if someone may have thought, hmm... Close enough!
How sure are you that there was half a tooth's rotation on that? There should not have been any.
In regards to the front crankshaft seal, if it isn't leaking I would recommend to leave it alone. If you go in after it, there is a possibility that you may gouge a scratch on the crankshaft during the removal process. If that happens than no matter what kind of new seal you put on it, there will always be a leak.
I have first hand personal experience with this and repairing that was not fun. I tried a lot of things and in the end, the only thing that actually worked was a new crankshaft.
